So went out to the garage, to test some trains and watch the ashes in peace, wore my lucky England shirt and everything.
Come on England, all out in 2 sessions!!!!!
What is going on.
I promised myself I would always support England in the Ashes even though I have lived in Aus far longer than I lived in the UK and support Aus in every other sport, when it comes to the Ashes I just can't bring myself to switch.
Lets hope the bowlers do a better job than the batsmen.
Uh-huh
England 172 all out
Least Harry Brook 52, Pope 46, Smith 33 and Archer striking 2nd ball of Australia innings and its freezing cold in the UK
At this rate (30-3) it'll be all over tomorrow!
And the very good news - Smith is out.
Woke up at 3 ack emma so put TNT Sports on to see England 4 wickets down with less than a hundred on the board :o
That outfield on the Perth ground is immaculate but huge!! :goggleeyes:
Watched for 90 minutes then went back to bed thinking "This is not good"
This morning I find we scored 172 all out but the Aussies were 91 for 6 so things aren't so bad after all :sweat:
I'll watch the highlights on TNT at 13.00hrs later today
0950 Australia 123 for 9
5 wickets Stokes
After England's shambolic innings in a series we are certain to win as the Aussies are a shadow of their former selves (allegedly) and they've lost all their bowlers I thought here we go again, failing to live up to the hype!
By the end of the day England's innings doesn't look so bad.......
I'll bet the Daily Fail reporter with the headline this morning of "Have we ever had a deadlier attack?" is wishing they hadn't used it. I assume tomorrow's will be "Travis Head - one man England destroyer"
Quote from: Newportnobby on November 22, 2025, 10:33:52 AMI'll bet the Daily Fail reporter with the headline this morning of "Have we ever had a deadlier attack?" is wishing they hadn't used it. I assume tomorrow's will be "Travis Head - one man England destroyer"
I'm at the football in Bristol as usual. I suspect the match here will last longer than the England innings :D
I confess I was hoping for a proper test match, something that would last at least four days. Romantically, a contest with the result in the last session of the fifth day. What we got was two one day games in quick succession with some very good bowling and three batsmen who exceeded 50 runs.
I'm hoping for a better contest in Brisbane. If not there, maybe Adelaide, my favourite Australian cricket venue.
Newport Nobby, the Perth Stadium outfield is the same size as the MCG.
Lastly, I feel sorry for those that had tickets for days 3,4, and 5.
I have tickets for the Pakistan test at Headingley next summer. Sure glad they are day 1, might just see some cricket providing it's not raining ;)
I don't know if it was poor batting, good bowling or a dodgy pitch but no test should be over in 2 days with both sides batting twice. Seemed all it took was one batsman to have a swing and that decided the match.
Quote from: thebrighton on November 22, 2025, 07:36:44 PMI don't know if it was poor batting, good bowling or a dodgy pitch but no test should be over in 2 days with both sides batting twice. Seemed all it took was one batsman to have a swing and that decided the match.
And that was with an under par Aussie side. It's summer down under so England can't expect to have the overcast conditions their bowlers function best in. It was a very flat wicket in Perth and, of course, had been prepared with the home team in mind.
Quote from: Newportnobby on November 22, 2025, 08:51:55 PMQuote from: thebrighton on November 22, 2025, 07:36:44 PMI don't know if it was poor batting, good bowling or a dodgy pitch but no test should be over in 2 days with both sides batting twice. Seemed all it took was one batsman to have a swing and that decided the match.
And that was with an under par Aussie side. It's summer down under so England can't expect to have the overcast conditions their bowlers function best in. It was a very flat wicket in Perth and, of course, had been prepared with the home team in mind.
Summer down under? Not where I live, it ain't! Poured down all night and it's raining now :D
Some summer in Melbourne, 29mm overnight, was hoping to get in the garden today, but I don't have any chance. Also thought I might get the afternoon in the garage watching the test, and testing / playing with some trains. Someone let me down there.
But at least the Grand Prix is on, and it never rains in Vegas does it ;) ;)
I have today booked tickets for The Oval Test next Summer (England v New Zealand) Day 3.
I normally go for Day 2 but on this occasion we've gone for Day 3 as my son and son in law would rather take a Friday off work rather than a Thursday. So......day three it is.
I'm just hoping that the game gets that far!
There has been much discussion in the press as to whether the English team should have had more batting practice since the 1st test. It would seem many fans believe it's sheer arrogance that they haven't, especially as the next test is a day/night match with a pink ball and Australia have won 13 of the 14 matches they've played in such conditions :hmmm:
Quote from: port perran on November 25, 2025, 06:31:07 PMI have today booked tickets for The Oval Test next Summer (England v New Zealand) Day 3.
I normally go for Day 2 but on this occasion we've gone for Day 3 as my son and son in law would rather take a Friday off work rather than a Thursday. So......day three it is.
I'm just hoping that the game gets that far!
I have tickets for day 2 apparently, which my Son bought. We also have tickets for day 1 at Headingley for the Pakistan test.
Totally agree mick. Indeed years past touring teams had played matches against State Sides playing in the Sheffield Shield and / or Chairman's Invitation X1. Blame it on schedules, having a shadow Lions X1. There are many arguments. Im also wondering how fit players are with injuries and history of such, training, schedules. All in favour of 2 days travel, acclimatise Brisbane and ask ACB for 3 / 4 day v Queensland who have concluded their Shield match v Victoria
Quote from: Nbodger on November 25, 2025, 06:43:52 PMQuote from: port perran on November 25, 2025, 06:31:07 PMI have today booked tickets for The Oval Test next Summer (England v New Zealand) Day 3.
I normally go for Day 2 but on this occasion we've gone for Day 3 as my son and son in law would rather take a Friday off work rather than a Thursday. So......day three it is.
I'm just hoping that the game gets that far!
I have tickets for day 2 apparently, which my Son bought. We also have tickets for day 1 at Headingley for the Pakistan test.
Ha....I'll be entering London as you leave.
Shame we didn't both book the same day.
At least we managed to get tickets for five of us all sitting together.
I was asked by one of my brother in laws how I thought the Ashes would go, below is my reply to him, it has taken him a week to respond
Hard to comment on England, my gut is not very well expect lo loose the series.
England at present have lost their way in all forms of cricket under the current regime.
The ECB are unfortunately destroying the English game with their stupid incoherent actions like the kookaburra ball experiment which thankfully has now been terminated..
Oh and the stupid 100 taking over the best part of the English summer.
We have a poor bowling line up. Woods and Archer both injury prone doubt both will be available for all tests. Inexperienced spinners.
Batsmen have not been in any form recently, having only limited one day opportunities, not ideal.
Lot of pressure on this team, little or no experience of Aussie conditions .
Preparation poor, lack of quality game time, no real test since last summer.
Our only hope is the Aussies are past it, most of their players at the wrong end of their careers.
Interesting article here about Crawley's history against the Aussies.
Just a shame Cummins and Hazelwood weren't bowling :D
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cjwyd76l09no
I would agree with everything you say Mike
@Nbodger plus a certain arrogance amongst management and some senior players.
It's all very well "entertaining", and I say that tongue in cheek, the crowd with so called Bazball but put quite bluntly there are cases when it is just plain stupid.
The 1st test last week was an obvious case in point.
England were in a WINNING position. Bat for two days to build an unassailable lead then bowl out an ageing Aussie team.
What do we do, and here I think arrogance comes to the fore. We try to knock every ball out of the ground. What the thinking is behind this strategy is beyond me unless the players put more importance on three extra days off rather than winning.
If we carry on like this Test cricket will die.
On another of your points, I believe The Hundred will ruin cricket. It's almost akin to football deciding to alter the rules and format for two months in the middle of the season. Let's play 8 a side, ban offside, time outs every 5 minutes, kick ins instead of throw ins etc etc.
it would be disastrous.
We have too many games in the Summer in way too many formats. I fail to see how senior management don't realise that.
Oh.....wait a minute. Of course, money comes first.
Time for a major overhaul of English cricket. There's something major wrong with it. Maybe the Aussies are right when they say there's only 3 things wrong - you can't bat, you can't bowl and you can't field. :unimpressed:
Sums it up!
I watched the first session whilst unpacking / cleaning / fixing trains from last weekend's show and was very unimpressed with it. Then turned on for the last hour of play and immediately went and watched something else once I saw the score.
Mick you are so right. Can't x 3.
Been a bit of a pity so far.
I'm hoping for Starc to be rested in Adelaide with England to win.
Boxing Day test into the last session of the 5th day, England need a few runs for the win with 3 wickets in hand. Pat says to Mitchell, "Shall we win this?"(or words to that effect!!) Starc comes on (the crowd goes wild) and takes a hat trick. (Have you seen the Major League movie? Wild Thing!)
Both teams go to Sydney and have another good match.
Sigh. I think I must be dreaming.
Why can't we have really good matches like the Centenary Test match?
Mark
Quote from: Platy767 on December 07, 2025, 02:00:45 AMSigh. I think I must be dreaming.
Sounds like you've been drinking rather than dreaming :beers:
Editorial in today's Sydney Telegraph
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/156/255-091225005522-1567072496.jpeg)
Love it.
Very biased reporting ;)
Quote from: Nbodger on December 09, 2025, 12:14:52 PMVery biased reporting ;)
Sledging is the Aussie National pastime, don't forget :D
England so desperately need at least one decent spin bowler. Most countries' spin bowlers strike fear into batsmen but I reckon other teams just relish it when England turn to spin. It's been too long since the likes of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Monty Panesar and, going back some, Graeme Swann and Derek Underwood
Quote from: Newportnobby on December 17, 2025, 03:08:26 PMEngland so desperately need at least one decent spin bowler. Most countries' spin bowlers strike fear into batsmen but I reckon other teams just relish it when England turn to spin. It's been too long since the likes of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Monty Panesar and, going back some, Graeme Swann and Derek Underwood
I would tend to agree. I think that spin bowling at the very least can be used as a tool to break the monotony of continued pace and, perhaps, encourage batsmen to open up and with that make mistakes. At its best spin is a devastating tool specially if combined with an "encouraging" pitch.
I'm not sure England trust Bashir after he somehow got ahead of Jack Leach in the pecking order but he is young and he's played hardly any cricket lately after injury.
Maybe it's time to give someone like Rehan Ahmed of Leicestershire a try with the added bonus that he can bat.
Remember john emburey who could bat as well 1986 tour
Who extracted bounce and turn in tandem
With Phil Edmonds
Older members may remember Fred titmus.
Geoff Miller effective oon the 78 /79 tour
Phil tufnell 6 at Sydney 1995
Graene Swann held ends and 2013 caused issues with turn
Ashley Giles
Let's see how the batting goes in the early hours once the two final wickets have fallen
Quote from: crewearpley40 on December 17, 2025, 03:56:25 PMRemember john emburey, Phil Edmonds,
Fred titmus, Geoff Miller, Phil tufnell, Ashley Giles
Me Grandad told me about them
Quote from: Newportnobby on December 17, 2025, 05:43:21 PMQuote from: crewearpley40 on December 17, 2025, 03:56:25 PMRemember john emburey, Phil Edmonds,
Fred titmus, Geoff Miller, Phil tufnell, Ashley Giles
Me Grandad told me about them
Half Man Half Biscuit taught me about Fred.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQMTGJer-dU
Don't click this link if you don't like sweary words
Quote from: Trainfish on December 17, 2025, 09:14:57 PMHalf Man Half Biscuit taught me about Fred.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQMTGJer-dU
Don't click this link if you don't like sweary words
Johnny looked out of his bedroom window and shouted to his Mum.....
Ear wiggo again. Another dismal performance in the making :unimpressed:
Just watching the Adelaide test at the bowlo. Crawley just removed.
Aussies need 4 wickets.
Hope it's not as hot there as here. 42 degrees at Chez Bealman!
Well it's over for today. England 6 for 207 at stumps.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/156/255-201225071107-1568891143.jpeg)
As I said earlier in this thread, for some reason I still support England when it is the Ashes.
I just wish the POMS would have put up a better fight, there are glimpses of how good they could be.
It's going to be 3-0, and I hope there will be an inquest/autopsy into the death of English test cricket. Some heads need to roll :unimpressed:
Quote from: Newportnobby on December 20, 2025, 09:43:20 AMIt's going to be 3-0, and I hope there will be an inquest/autopsy into the death of English test cricket. Some heads need to roll :unimpressed:
I think we should burn the bails and start again for the "New Ashes".
Quote from: Newportnobby on December 20, 2025, 09:43:20 AMIt's going to be 3-0, and I hope there will be an inquest/autopsy into the death of English test cricket. Some heads need to roll :unimpressed:
I can name three people without needing time to think, should go.
...another English "moral" victory, I suppose. ;)
Truthfully, though, all three matches, at different times, could have gone the other way. The English side definitely has enough talent to compete.
There were plenty of Aussies in the audience getting concerned when over a hundred runs were scored in the first session and then the remaining target dropped to under 100. Fortunately, we didn't drop the chances.
Everyone have a blessed, happy and safe Christmas.
Mark
Day 1 in Melbourne, and, oh dear.
Australia is already all out for 152 and England is 4 for 46.
Let's hope it develops like the Centenary Test of 1977 did with big 2nd innings scores and a fabulous Derek Randall (maybe Joe Root this time?) performance.
Mark
England 7 for 77 as I type this.
8 for 83...
9 for 91...
Who's side of the fence do I sit on? Must admit, I'm like Graham in that regard. I'm not sure, so watch the Ashes at a distance, I guess.
110 and poor batting. If England bowled Australia 152 can only suggest something in the pitch
And Ilook at the comments made here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cly049z6m82o
Quote from: Bealman on December 26, 2025, 06:26:56 AM9 for 91...
Who's side of the fence do I sit on? Must admit, I'm like Graham in that regard. I'm not sure, so watch the Ashes at a distance, I guess.
We have our main Christmas function today, so watching the test is a bit "hit and miss" for me, and it would appear it was the same both sides in this test.
I would guess that Cricket Australia will be fuming over today's results, they would have been hoping for a bumper pay day from attendance at the MCG, even greater than the Australia / India tests from last year, but after day one they will be very disappointed.
This is the biggest test match in the Australia summer, and there were over 95,000 expected today and almost 400,000 over 5 days.
Regardless of who wins this will be a big loss for Cricket Australia.
As for the cricket, COME ON THE POMS, even after almost 40yrs I can't do it in the ashes.
We're doomed, Mr. Mainwaring, we're doomed :worried:
Quote from: Platy767 on December 21, 2025, 08:03:12 PMTruthfully, though, all three matches, at different times, could have gone the other way. The English side definitely has enough talent to compet
Trouble is that they need to apply that talent to playing cricket and to concentrate for the whole five days of each test.
Carse at a length outside the off stump gets whacked through the covers for 4.
Next ball - repeat.
Next ball - repeat.
Why can't they learn?
:unimpressed:
Congratulations England.
What another rubbish Ashes test match. Guess this is going to be the new "norm".
Mark
Yes, crap. But hopefully it will not be the new norm, looking on the bright side new young players can always shake it up.
Have to feel sorry those who have travelled miles and with tickets for days 3 4 and 5
I just had chat to an Aussie guy at the bowling club, asking what I thought about the Melbourne test. He simply said, "What about the poor caterer? He might have lost money on 90,000 pies!"
Sometimes I worry about Australians. ;)
I'm not an expert or anything at all about Cricket, but have an interest in Sport. I caught a small bit on the news last night and it just looks like England are playing like it's a Hundred match not a 5 day epic. I now understand what is meant by "Bazball" ,its crazy to swipe at every ball like that!
I despair about the state of English cricket.
It needs change and I don't just mean personnel.
The structure needs a complete and thorough review followed by a major overhaul.
I'm afraid that I fail to see this latest result as a glorious and historic win.
It seems to me that it was more a case of let's get this over and done with in two days so that we get an extra three days off. Doesn't matter about the result - we'll thrash the ball to all sides of the ground and if we win that's great but if we lose - who cares.
Most of the England players are simply NOT up to Test Match standard. They're fine at T20 and 100, whatever that is supposed to be, but Test cricket - NO. Hardly any of them get the opportunity to play domestic 4 day cricket in the County Championship by way of preparation and education so what can we expect?
Rant over.
I think it's all to do with attention span. Today's public (and I'm not just talking about young people) need instant gratification because that's the way the media shoves it down our throats.
We get what we deserve.
One of the most barmy and bizarre test matches I've seen in years (I have TNT Sports) ::)
Pride makes me say "They're not going down without a fight" but then again I just consider that to be jingoistic rubbish :-[
Funny no one in these comments has mentioned the state of the deck which had a significant impact on this game.
10mm of the green stuff left on top made it a unfair competition and there was only going to be one result, the bowlers won, the batsmen of both sides would have a very difficult game and so it proved to be.
Will the ICC take action?
Ironically it also gave England a win.
Yes Martin
@port perran i totally agree with you about the state of English cricket in fact you rant sounded more like me.
Harry Brook is a very talented batsman, will probably be better than Root over time, he is very young and requires more experience in the long game, he for me is one who should be playing more county cricket grafting hard for his runs.
Cricket is a hard game mentally, concentrating all day whether batting or in the field, your only rest is when sat in the hut either out or waiting in anticipation to go out to bat.
The England set up basically only allows for preparation during practice / net sessions which it isn't important if you fail, they all need match practice on varying surfaces to allow them to know when to adapt to the conditions.
I am sure so called Bazball has changed since its inception. It is not never was about flashing at every ball, it was more about scoring quickly from ball 1, just look at a inform Root who looks to keep the scoreboard ticking over in low scoring shots, blink and he soon has a scored 50 that's without being aggressive.
I am not a fan of Stokes, for me he is hit and miss, yes he has had some winning scores with the bat whilst playing extravagant shots, take his match winning innings at Headingley with Leach, he was very lucky, Australia messed up on reviews and didn't have one left when it really counted else he was out. It was very entertaining day in the sun, yes I was there on that day as I had been on day 1.
Sorry rant over
Quote from: Nbodger on December 27, 2025, 01:32:08 PMFunny no one in these comments has mentioned the state of the deck which had a significant impact on this game.
10mm of the green stuff left on top made it a unfair competition and there was only going to be one result, the bowlers won, the batsmen of both sides would have a very difficult game and so it proved to be.
Sorry rant over
And a merry Christmas to you too!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cly5397m30jo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cdxw1y79rnpo
Fair play to Michael Vaughan and Steve Smith
The pitch was poor and to have 36 wickets in 6 sessions less than two days will be scrutinised by the ICC no doubt. Totally agree with Martin and Mike over their comments
Too many poor shots by the batsmen and line and length bowling . Makes you wonder where proper batting coaching and bowling coaching has gone. Remember when Sir Geoffrey said ' The Corridor of Uncertainty ' not now, get line lengths right. Play straight and each ball on merit and if its worth putting a bad ball away good. If you learn basics. Oh well
well well, the MCG are of course defending the groundman and his team.
Will there be a review, who knows.
Cricket Australia are now bemoaning what should have been a bumper summer of revenue is now looking very sorry financially, the 2 day MCG test resulted in a $10M loss of income for the 3 remaining days. Let alone similar stories from Perth and Brisbane.
The MCG will be in a similar state where they should have made a lot of money in catering and of course the bars.
At least England won. Roll on next week, lets see what happens in Sydney.
Quote from: Graham on December 28, 2025, 04:50:46 AMwell well, the MCG are of course defending the groundman and his team.
Will there be a review, who knows.
The evidence is there for all to see in the batting/bowling stats. Not for nothing were innings scores so low and wickets taken so high. The pitch favoured the bowlers - end of.
God bless the MCG for allowing England a win rather than continuing what could have been a whitewash
RIP Hugh Morris ex Glamorgan
2025 has seen the loss of
David Sid Lawrence
Wayne Larkins
Robin Smith
John Jameson ex Warwickshire
Harold Dickie Bird
Ken Shuttleworth
Peter Lever
A good start from England. I have no issue with batsmen falling to great bowling, as in the case of Duckett and Bethell. What I dislike is the attitude of Crawley who 'padded away' (something rarely seen these days) a delivery in arrogant fashion so I thought it poetic justice he was out LBW and, even then, called for a review to what to the rest of the world was a plumb shout :unimpressed:
I can only assume the state of the pitch was what caused the Aussies to not pick a decent spin bowler ???
Quote from: Newportnobby on December 26, 2025, 11:23:08 AMCarse at a length outside the off stump gets whacked through the covers for 4.
Next ball - repeat.
Next ball - repeat.
Why can't they learn?
:unimpressed:
This was driving me up the wall, the repeating of what doesn't work smacks of a real lack of game intelligence.
Then when you see the stats on the ball lengths that got wickets and the outliers are the wickets and the majority of the balls are runs it beggars belief
Quote from: Graham on December 28, 2025, 04:50:46 AMwell well, the MCG are of course defending the groundman and his team.
Will there be a review, who knows.
Cricket Australia are now bemoaning what should have been a bumper summer of revenue is now looking very sorry financially, the 2 day MCG test resulted in a $10M loss of income for the 3 remaining days. Let alone similar stories from Perth and Brisbane.
The MCG will be in a similar state where they should have made a lot of money in catering and of course the bars.
At least England won. Roll on next week, lets see what happens in Sydney.
Expect TNT are fuming having won the broadcast rights to find they are broadcasting half the expected days...
Joe Root 160
Wonderful Century
But what were Brook and especially Smith thinking especially the wicketkeeper Smith. Brainfade.
Atrocious
Jacks did enough to hang in there.
Not quite sure about the exchanges between Stokes and Labuschagne. Just need Head and Smith early. Hmmmm
England are missing a true fast strike bowler, having taken out with them a couple of injury prone crocks who, sure enough, broke down i.e. Mark Wood and Jofra Archer
One thing I do know - Bealette 3 had a great day at the pink test yesterday - she was in a corporate box!
If anyone can clarify why Carse is there would be interesting to hear...
Burnt a review but to be fair was tight and as the comms just queried was the ball inside the line at the frame it hit the toe...
Obviously with the subpar snicko and low frame rates it uses we will never know...
As I type this, Head is killing it for Australia
Quote from: Bealman on Yesterday at 12:56:35 AMAs I type this, Head is killing it for Australia
And then Smith took over from him. As far as Australia goes it's just "Anything you can do, we can do better. We can do anything better than you"